Sources: Aston Villa turn attention to sign Man City star Kalvin Phillips in club-record deal
Aston Villa have a strong interest in Man City midfielder Kalvin Phillips ahead of the summer window, sources have told Football Insider.
Villa boss Unai Emery wants to add a top-class signing capable of running the midfield and believes the 27-year-old fits the bill.
It is believed that City would ask for a fee of £45million if Phillips is to depart the Etihad Stadium this summer.
That is the outlay it took for the Premier League champions to sign him from Leeds United last year (2022).
A £45million fee would also represent a new club-record spend for Aston Villa - with the reported £33million arrival of Emiliano Buendia currently holding that accolade.
Football Insider revealed on Saturday (8 April) that Aston Villa are planning to smash their transfer record again this summer with another “huge” spending spree bankrolled by owners Naseef Sawiris and Wes Edens.
Phillips has made just a handful of appearances for Man City this season in a disappointing first season at the club.
He has made just two starts for Pep Guardiola's side - and has played a total of 353 minutes across all competitions after missing months of action with a shoulder injury earlier this season.
Guardiola criticised the midfielder’s physical condition when he returned from the World Cup in Qatar, publicly condemning him for being “overweight”.
Sources told this site on Thursday (6 April) that Aston Villa will listen to offers for Morgan Sanson this summer as they prepare for a clear-out of unwanted stars.
Sixth-place Villa are well-placed to secure European qualification for the 2023-24 campaign after winning six of their last seven games.